Fluminense FC
Fluminense are doing well in the Brazilian Serie A, as they are in sixth place with 20 points, four points below the leaders with a game in hand. The Tricolor were in a relatively easy group with Borussia Dortmund, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Ulsan HD, and they finished in second place behind BVB. Fluminense will face Internacional in the Copa do Brasil round of 16 this month.
Fluminense are coming off a solid 2-0 win over Inter Milan in the Club World Cup round of 16. German Cano and Hercules scored the winning goals for the team. They outplayed the Italian team as big underdogs in that game, as they were more clinical in front of the goal. The Tricolor have one of the best defenses in the tournament, having conceded only two goals in four games so far.
Fluminense are still missing Isaque Silva, Otavio, and Riquelme Felipe due to long-term injuries, while Rene is suspended after receiving two yellow cards in the last two games.
Al-Hilal SFC
Al-Hilal finished the Saudi Pro League in second place this year after dominating the league last season. The Blue Waves were in the same group with Real Madrid, Salzburg, and Pachuca, and they finished second with two draws and one win. Al-Hilal will face Al Qadisiya in the Saudi Super Cup semifinals next month.
Al-Hilal beating Man City 4-3 in the round of 16 was not in the cards even for their most optimistic fans, but they proved that they are a dangerous team under new coach Simone Inzaghi. Marcos Leonardo scored a brace, while Malcom and Kalidou Koulibaly had one goal each in that game. The Blue Waves are having a big tournament after conceding only one goal in the group stage, and they managed to draw with Real Madrid in a thrilling game.
Al-Hilal will miss two of the most important players for the team in Aleksandar Mitrovic and Salem Al Dawsari, while Hassan Tambakti is doubtful.
